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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Doctor recommends 3 best daily habits that can help reverse fatty liver and also detox the body
Most people don't give their liver much thought—until something goes wrong. But truth be told, it's one of the hardest-working organs we've got. It keeps our digestion ticking, helps us process what we eat and drink, and clears out all sorts of unwanted rubbish. In Ayurvedic medicine, though, the liver holds an even more special place. It's tied into the Rakta vaha srotas—a kind of inner channel linked to the flow of blood and bile. And when this system gets thrown off, the effects don't stay in one place. They affect the heart, the lungs, stomach and every organ. According to Dr Somit Kumar, M.D (Ayu), PhD, Chief Scientific Officer & Director of Research, AVP Research Foundation , one has to bring about micro changes in life to see improvement. He lists out food and lifestyle choices that one should make for a healthy and happy liver. Ayurveda, liver health and the role of doshas In this tradition, liver health is connected to what's known as Pitta dosha, a type of energy that governs heat and digestion. Tip that balance (say, by drinking too much, eating a lot of salty or sour foods), and the liver starts to feel the strain. It can lead to inflammation, damage to the cells, and early signs of ageing. Ayurveda also talks about Agni that is the digestive fire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Lengkongsari Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo It's what turns food into Rasa dhatu, the essential nourishment that feeds every part of the body. And deep within the liver, there are five subtle fires (Bhuta agnis) each doing its bit to detoxify, digest, and renew. Meal timings are important and so is the meal Keeping the liver in good nick isn't about fads or fancy treatments. According to Ayurveda, it starts with routine eating meals at regular times, steering clear of odd food pairings (Viruddha Ahara), and including all six flavours (Shadrasa) in your diet. Hydration matters too, not just with water but also with herbal brews that help sweep toxins out of the system. As for food itself? It's all about ease of digestion. Think of simple grains such as rice, oats, wheat, millet, barley etc. Lentils and green gram are easier on the stomach compared to heavier beans like kidney beans, which can sit around a bit longer. Fruits such as apple, fig, papaya, and pomegranate are believed to give the liver a helping hand. But citrus and mango? Best not to overdo it. On the veg front, carrots, beets are solid choices. Cabbage and chilli, although not bad but should probably be kept in check. When it comes to dairy, ghee and buttermilk get the green signal, while curd and paneer are better taken sparingly. Role of herbs and spices Ayurveda also leans heavily on herbs and spices. Turmeric is the star of the show, thanks to curcumin—it's like a natural anti-inflammatory. Garlic, ginger, cumin, fennel, black pepper—they're all praised for how they help digestion, reduce stress on the liver, and make other nutrients easier to absorb. Then there are the big-hitter herbs. Guduchi is often used to boost immunity and clear toxins. Bhumi Amla is another one—it's thought to help rejuvenate liver cells. Licorice isn't just for sweets; it's used for reducing inflammation and supporting the gut-liver connection. There's also Andrographis, Katuki, and Swertia—lesser-known but well-regarded in Ayurvedic circles for their protective qualities. The complete picture But food and herbs are only one part of the whole picture. Daily movement whether it's a walk, yoga, or simply stretching helps keep everything at check. Stress is hazardous and can be a lethal mess with the liver. Mindfulness, meditation, and a bit of peace and quiet go a long way. Sleep matters more than most people realise and the liver does much of its repair work when a person is properly rested and happens to experience deep sleep daily. Skimp on sleep, and you're likely to feel it. At the end of the day, Ayurveda isn't about quick fixes. It's about living in rhythm, eating well, moving often, managing stress, and giving your body what it needs to heal and thrive. Look after your liver, and it'll look after you.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Tradition in Transition
National award-winning director Vinod Mankara's Ayurveda: The Double Helix of Life is a 90-minute documentary that seeks to reposition Ayurveda as an evolving, holistic form of medical science, rather than just an ancient form of medicine. The film traverses from Germany's clinical wards to Kerala's healing centres, attempting to capture the convergence of Ayurveda with the modern biomedical framework. It begins in Evangelical Hospital Hattingen in Germany, with patients of Parkinson's disease turning to Ayurvedic treatment for relief. From then on, Mankara takes into account multiple voices to establish the narrative – doctors, researchers, scientists, patients, and institutional heads – 52 experts– who are exploring how Ayurveda is finding relevance in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, epilepsy, infertility, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's, and cancer recovery. 'It had long been the vision of my producer, Dr AV Anoop — who has been involved in the Ayurveda industry for many years — to create a comprehensive documentary on the subject,' says Mankara, who jumped on-board due to his long-term personal interest in Ayurveda and the opportunity to explore the modern relevance of the subject. 'Taking on the role of script writer and director for this project was not just a professional choice but a personal calling,' he said. Mankara's connection to the project runs deep; which is why Mankara immersed himself in research, poring over ancient texts, contemporary studies and research papers. He also scoured online sources, visited libraries and institutions, and engaged in debates with scientists and doctors. 'Only after immersing myself deeply in the subject did I begin writing the script,' he says. In the film, Mankara also introduces key figures like Antonio Morandi, founder and director of Ayurvedic Point in Milan, Italy, vaidya KG Raveendran of the Akami Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre in Angamaly, Kerala and Reshma Girish Mhaske of AVP Research Foundation in Coimbatore, who are working to integrate Ayurveda with the mainstream medicine while retaining its unique identity. In the film, Morandi says, it is all about 'finding commonalities for pathways of communication'. There are also references to emerging clinical research, such as 'Pilot study evaluating the effectiveness of Ayurvedic psychotherapy (Sattvavajaya Chikitsa) for Major Depressive Disorder', 'Pilot study on the effects of a polyherbal formulation cream on diabetic foot ulcers', published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, among others. The film also talks about funding challenges and regulatory gaps that prevent Ayurveda from getting popular on global platforms. Mankara also acknowledges that many practitioners of Ayurveda tend to keep their knowledge closely guarded. 'While Ayurveda and allopathic systems have their unique methodologies, meaningful dialogue between them has been elusive. This disconnect troubled me,' he says. Even though the film aims at informing the audience on the positives of Ayurveda, opening up a vital platform for talk on pluralistic healthcare, the heavy use of Ayurvedic jargon and the lack of subtitles throughout the film make it difficult to understand complex ideas and the thick Australian accent of the narrator explaining Ayurvedic terms, respectively, pulls it back.
